Dialectical Materialism and Quantum Physics

This is the story of David Bohm's hitherto unpublished notes, uncovered from a series of lectures given in Israel in 1957 to a group of Marxist physicists from the Hashomer Hatsair (young guard) movement. The notes explore quantum theory and dialectical materialism, as well as shedding light on the intellectual and emotional resources of his persistent rebellion against orthodoxies in science. The discussion places his lectures notes in a wider historical, scientific, and philosophical context and traces Bohm's intellectual development from an early attempt to better understand the Copenhagen interpretation of quantum mechanics to his elaboration of an alternative causal interpretation based on the notion of "hidden variables." As the lecture notes strikingly illustrate, dialectical materialism played a fundamental role for the further development of his understanding of quantum mechanics. Bohm placed the notions of infinity of nature and the unity of opposites in the center of his natural philosophy, drawing from the works of Hegel, Marx, Engels, and Lenin. The authors also examine Bohm's legacy in the history of quantum mechanics and his contribution to preparing the "second quantum revolution." Bohm's engagement with dialectical materialism and his role as a dissident to the orthodox interpretation of quantum mechanics were pivotal in bringing about the novel insights and technologies associated with this second quantum revolution. During the 1960s, Bohm developed a growing interest in the nature of consciousness and engaged with the philosopher Jiddu Krishnamurti. In spite of a seemingly fundamental break with earlier philosophical positions, this new phase in Bohm's intellectual odyssey was not completely unrelated to his fascination with and deep understanding of Hegel's philosophy, which the lecture notes amply document for the first time.

Hanoch Gutfreund has served as Head of the Institute of Physics, Head of the Institute of Advanced Studies, Rector, and President during his long association with The Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Currently, he is the academic head of the Einstein Archives. His research interests include theoretical solid-state physics, computational neuroscience, and the history and philosophy of science. Juergen Renn is a Founding Director of the Max Planck Institute of Geoanthropology in Jena and a former Founding Director of Max Planck Institute for the History of Science in Berlin. His research interests include the history of modern physics, in particular of relativity and quantum theory, the history of the globalization of knowledge, and the history of the global change sciences that gave rise to the notion of the Anthropocene.